2006-10-17 03:23:48 · 6 answers · asked by Chris the Great 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The Hamiltonian for the total energy of an electron consists of potential energy and kinetic energy. (see ref 1 about the Schrodinger Equation) The potential energy for bound electrons is negative and becomes more negative as the electron gets closer to an atom's nucleus (see ref 2 for the simple atom treatment of the Schrodinger Equation). The quick answer is that electrons are deeper in a potential well closer to the nucleus. A more comprehensive answer is that the expectation values for the radial coordinate are smaller for lower energy solutions of the Schrodinger Equation.
2006-10-17 04:06:41 · answer #1 · answered by d/dx+d/dy+d/dz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember that the total energy of an electron is the sum of the potential and the kinetic energy. As an electron gets closer to the atom's nucleus two things happen; 1st its frequency of revolution gets larger (i.e. it speeds up) this results in an increase of the kinetic energy. 2nd The potential energy decreases. However the decrease in the potential energy is VERY rapid. (potential decreases by a factor of 1/r^2). Thus when you add both the potential and the kinetic energy, the result is that the TOTAL ENERGY of the the electron decreases.
Hope this answer helps
2006-10-17 06:05:06 · answer #2 · answered by Chem Major 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I beleive that you have the cause and effect reversed. It's not that getting closer to the nucleus causes an electron to lose energy, it's that, when an electron loses energy it falls closer to the nucleus. Like an airplane flying around the Earth. When it slows down, it drops lower.
Of course, I could be completly wrong, it's been a long time since college chem.
2006-10-17 03:33:09 · answer #3 · answered by juicy_wishun 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the nucleus contains protons that are positively charged, and the electrons are negatively charged. the natural tendency is for these electrons to be attracted to the protons. if you place an electron and a proton very far apart, the tendency is for them to move towards each other. and the farther they are moved apart, the more energy needs to be exerted. but when you "release" the electron it moves along with its nature, and hence it loses energy in doing so. hence, going against nature expend energy, while going along with nature loses that potential energy
in analogy, you could think of a piece of highly elastic rubber band. you can stretch it. but you'll notice that when you stretch it too far you'll need to exert a lot of energy. when you release it, though, the rubber band naturally "unstretches" itself and returns to it natural state / initial position
2006-10-17 03:57:28 · answer #4 · answered by rykt_id 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because according to current atomic models, orbitals nearer to nucleus have lower energy, meanwhile orbitals farther from nucleus have more energy, so when an electron "jumps down" from one external subshell to another internal of lower energy, electron losses energy in the form of gamma radiation (emission of a photon particle).
The reversal is true: when electron "jumps up" from one internal subshell to one external of higher energy, it gains energy (absortion of a photon particle).
Good luck!
2006-10-17 03:35:57 · answer #5 · answered by CHESSLARUS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
becuz the charge is being sucked out of the electrons
2006-10-17 03:33:25 · answer #6 · answered by mchavez_12000 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋